Premier David Ben Gurion today reported to the Israel Cabinet on the political ramifications of the recent developments along Israel’s borders, as well as general relations with the neighboring Arab countries.
The communiqué reporting today’s Cabinet meeting does not state whether any new developments have occurred in the security situation. The Cabinet also discussed the unemployment situation and a program of public works designed to ease the problem.
The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee will meet Tuesday to consider the clash which culminated a weeks-long series of incidents by infiltrates and troops from Jordan. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said of the situation: “Let the Arabs know that for every provocation and for every shot, the Israel Army will reply with the same vigor.”
GEN. RILEY HOPES TO SETTLE ISRAEL-JORDANIAN DIFFICULTY
Gen. William E. Riley, who this week-end announced his resignation as head of the United Nations truce machinery in Palestine, effective May 15, today said that he would not leave Palestine until the present Israel-Jordanian difficulty was settled. “I am hot accustomed to abandoning work which I have started,” Gen. Riley told newsmen.
In Israeli political circles it was suggested this week-end that Gen. Riley should be asked to remain at his post until a successor satisfactory to all interested parties is selected. These same circles stressed that Gen. Bennet de Ridder, Belgian assistant to Gen. Riley, should not become his successor. Recently the Israelis have sought to have Gen. de Ridder removed as UN chairman of the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, charging that his administration of the post was aiding the Arabs.
Asked by newsmen whether he would recommend a successor for his post, Gen. Riley today said “definitely not.” To a question whether Gen. de Ridder would serve as acting chief of staff after May 15, Gen. Riley said, “not necessarily.”
Although he gave no reason for his action in his short cable to the UN Secretariat, Gen. Riley told newsmen here that his reasons were “purely personal” adding that he had contemplated such action for a long time but that up to now his resignation had been rejected.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
